Picturing Bible accounts and discerning how they apply in life can be difficult for children. Jesus, the Four Friends and Me takes one narrative from the second chapter of Mark and helps it to come alive for young ones. The story centers around four friends that bring a paralyzed man to Jesus to be healed. Due to the crowds surrounding the home where Jesus is teaching, these friends are unable to get the man to Jesus. With an ingenious idea, they carry the paralyzed man to the roof, create an opening, and lower the man to Jesus. As they had hoped would happen, Jesus miraculously heals the man, who is then able to step off of the cot and carry it away!
The story of Jesus, The Four Friends and Me accurately retells the biblical account in a manner that is easy to follow and has a natural flow. The storyline is accompanied by numerous questions for reflection that help youths to truly benefit from the tale. These sections for personal consideration begin with the question, “What about you?” and really help readers to become a better friend to their peers, and also to improve in their knowledge about Jesus. The simple artwork illustrating the text is consistent and colorful. Martha Yamnitz shares this portion of the Gospel in a clear, simple manner that will appeal to young kids. Jesus, The Four Friends and Me would make a nice addition to the home libraries of Christian families with small children.
